Bonnyrigg White Eagles kept their top five aspirations alive in resounding style following a 5-1 hammering of 10-man Hakoah Sydney City East in their Round 21 PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s fixture at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.
It was a must win encounter for Brian Brown’s side who found themselves behind fifth-placed Sydney Olympic prior to kick off but last season’s Champions made light work of the visitors following the second-half dismissal of Hakoah defender Remy Wolanski to pile on four goals in the final twenty minutes.
The White Eagles helped their way to a 1-0 advantage at half-time courtesy of Greg Kondek’s strike but tamely relinquished their lead when Kiwi Andre De Jong equalized five minutes into the second stanza.
However, the floodgates opened for Bonnyrigg after the sending off of Wolanski and inspired by the outstanding Aaron Peterson who claimed a well-taken double with his head, the hosts cruised past the league newcomers in their last competitive league match at the Bonnyrigg Sports Club for 2016.
Bonnyrigg defender Alexander Mansueto struck in-between Peterson’s late double while a miserable night for Hakoah was capped by a bizarre and unfortunate own goal from young shot stopper Max Ephraim who parried Robbie Younis’ corner into his own net via a deflection.
It was a bitter slice of misfortune for the young custodian who endured a tough evening marshalling a Hakoah rear guard that showed signs of frailty early on when Kondek thundered an early effort against the woodwork.
Although Mark Robertson’s side briefly recovered from a spell of early pressure and enjoyed a chance of their own through De Jong, Bonnyrigg broke their resistance five minutes before half-time.
Having rattled the crossbar earlier, Kondek applied a cool finish to steer past Ephraim after an incisive run from Mun Soo-Gil to deservedly edge the White Eagles in front.
The lead didn’t last long for Bonnyrigg, and the visitors seized on a great piece of opportunism from De Jong, who drove through the midfield and slid the ball underneath James Chronopoulos to draw level minutes into the second half.
Alarm bells would have been ringing around Bonnyrigg Sports Club following De Jong’s equalizer – the scene of several calamitous collapses in this frustrating campaign for the 2015 Championship winners, but the response from Brown’s men was unrelentingly clinical, albeit aided by the dismissal of Wolanski who received his marching orders for hacking down a goal-bound Peterson.
After Kondek saw a glancing header superbly palmed to safety by Ephraim, Peterson edged the hosts back in front at the back post after a sublime delivery from young gun Asmir Kadric.
Mansueto put the contest beyond doubt after heading in from Martin Lo’s cross, and the former Western Sydney Wanderer provided another sublime corner delivery a minute later for Peterson to claim his double.
Lo has been a standout feature for the White Eagles as he slowly asserts himself as one of the finds of the season for the club.
Hakoah’s inability to deal with Bonnyrigg’s aerial threat was underlined again when the hosts notched their fifth – a fine second-half performance from the hosts rounded by a defensive blunder from Ephraim, who could only parry Robbie Younis’ corner into the roof of his own net.
Having enjoyed the respite of their convincing 3-0 Westfield FFA Cup victory over Manly United midweek, Bonnyrigg will head to the South Coast to take on Wollongong with real momentum next Sunday afternoon as the White Eagles look to confirm their customary place in the top five.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 5 (Kondek 40, Peterson 72’, 80’, Mansueto 81’, Ephraim (og) 87’)
Hakoah Sydney City East 1 (De Jong 49’)
Saturday 6th August, 2016
Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. James Chronopoulos, 16. Samuel Gallaway, 17. Mun-Soo Gil (10. Yuta Kokado 82’), 31. Martin Lo, 2. Alexander Mansueto, 15. Raymond Miller (9. Robert Younis 38’), 19. Aaron Peterson, 3. David Vrankovic, 6. Nikola Zonjic, 7. Greg Kondek (21. Bo Hyun Chun 73’), 18. Asmir Kadric
Substitutes Not Used: 13. James Mckenzie, 20. Stevan Savicic
Yellow Cards: 17. Mun-Soo Gil 41’
Red Cards:
Hakoah Sydney City East: 16. Costa Andricopoulos, 5. Nathan Bowden-Haase, 18. Aaron D’Mello, 23. Andre De Jong, 43. Max Ephraim, 9. Neil Jablonski, 21. Ilan Kessler, 31. Kevin Lopes (14. Lee Jones 70), 8. Paul Orgad, 33. Adrian Vranic, 2. Remy Wolanski
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Dylan Blumberg, 1. Anthony Costa, 6. Nathan Muskitta,
Yellow Cards: 16. Costa Andricopoulos 8’, 43. Max Ephraim 14’, 9. Neil Jablonski 27’, 2. Remy Wolanski 24’, 64’, 8. Paul Orgad 90’
Red Cards: 2. Remy Wolanski 64’
-By Jacob Windon, Playstation4NPLNSW Men’s 1 reporter @ Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Archives for August 2016
Round 21 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
It’s round 21 in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition and with two weeks to go there is still plenty on the line.
Sydney Olympic is in pole position for fifth position and the final playoff spot but Bonnyrigg and Parramatta FC still cling to hope.
Wollongong and Blacktown Spartans are fighting to avoid the dreaded Wooden spoon, while Rockdale will be desperately trying to end its horror run.
Match of the round this week features a big clash at Seymour Shaw with Sydney Olympic taking on traditional rivals the Rockdale City Suns in a late kick off on Sunday at 7pm.
Match of the Round
Sydney Olympic FC v Rockdale City Suns FC, Sunday 7pm at Seymour Shaw Park
At the start of the season Sydney Olympic was written off by many as a finals calibre side.
This weekend Grant Lee’s side has a chance of not only confirming their place in the finals but also leapfrogging Rockdale into fourth position.
Olympic has been a gritty competitor this season and it has paid off for the Belmore based side.
Expect to see that same hard work and determination on the field this week against Rockdale.
Rockdale’s season has taken a nosedive over the past month with only two points to show from its last five matches.
Paul Reid’s side know they must find form if they are to pose any threat come finals time, or even make the post season at all.
Sutherland Sharks v Blacktown Spartans, Saturday 6.30pm at Seymour Shaw
Sutherland has found new life over the second half of the season and have proven to be one of the toughest teams to beat in recent weeks.
Carlos Villazon’s fast and attacking style has been picked up by the players after many early season struggles and they are surprisingly still in with a long shot of playing finals football.
This week they face bottom of the table side Blacktown Spartans and need a win to keep their zero to hero dream alive in 2016.
Blacktown was extremely unlucky last week in their 1-0 loss to local rivals Blacktown CIty.
It was a mostly composed performance but one moment of madness cost Ben de Haan’s side once again.
They will be looking to end their horror season on a high.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Hakoah Sydney City East, Saturday 7pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Brian Brown’s Bonnyrigg side is clinging onto hope for a finals berth and must win its final two games to stand a chance of leapfrogging Sydney Olympic into fifth spot.
A 4-1 loss to Sydney United 58 and a 1-1 catch-up match draw against Parramatta FC last week has not helped the White Eagles but all hope is not lost.
Hakoah Sydney CIty East is the team looking to kill off Bonnyrigg’s season.
Coming to the end of their first season in the NSW top flight, Hakoah will be determined to end its season on a high.
Expect Bonnyrigg to race out of the blocks with Hakoah happy to sit back and wait for its moment on the counter.
Parramatta FC v Wollongong Wolves, Saturday 7pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Parramatta FC host Wollonong on Saturday night with nothing less than victory enough for Franco Cosentino’s men.
Parramatta was in prime position to secure fifth on the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition ladder only weeks ago but are now desperately fighting to keep their season alive.
Parramatta defeated Hakaoh last weekend and go into this match with momentum behind them.
For Wollongong the fear of relegation has become a dark cloud over the squad and victory would be a vital confidence booster ahead of the final round next week.
An FFA Cup clash against A-League Side Sydney FC on August 10 is also in the back of coach Jacob Timpano’s mind and a number of Wollongong’s stars could be possibly rested.
Sydney United 58 v Manly United, Sunday 5:45pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
The hard work is not over yet for the newly crowned 2016 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition Premiers Sydney United 58.
Mark Rudan’s side has their sights set on the finals and a historic Waratah Cup, Championship and Premiership treble.
Manly United know Sunday’s match is very likely not the last time they will have to face off against the Reds and will be out to prove a point.
Manly’s domination of APIA last week was another three points in the bag for Paul Dee’s side who have been almost unstoppable during the second half of the season.
Both teams know how to find the back of the net but as was the case when the two sides faced off in a cagey Waratah Cup Final, could be willing to sit back and wait for their opposition to make the first mistake.
Sydney United 58 will be presented with the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition Premiership Trophy on Sunday in front of their passionate supporters.
Watch out for a Manly side determined to ruin the party.
Blacktown City FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday 3pm at Lily’s Football Centre
With Sydney United 58 wrapping up the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition Premiership last round, Blacktown City can move their focus to the finals and a potential second Championship title in three years.
Mark Crittenden’s side is roaring back to the peak of its powers as was demonstrated in their 6-2 FFA Cup demolition of Sydney United last week.
In Round 21 they host APIA Leichhardt and Blacktown’s prolific attack could be in for a field day against the at times porous Tigers defence.
APIA leaked four against Manly last week after taking an early lead and could be in for another drubbing if they are not careful.
The Tigers have shown flashes of brilliance this season and on their day can push any team in the competition.
Round 21 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s U20
Manly United head into the penultimate weekend of the competition holding a two-point lead over second-placed Sutherland Sharks, while it’s last chance saloon for Sydney Olympic.
The match of the round sees the competition leaders’ travel to Sydney United Sports Centre.
Match of the Round
Sydney United 58 v Manly United, Sunday 3.30pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Manly United know they could seal the premiership when they arrive at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon should Sutherland Sharks and Bonnyrigg White Eagles both slip up 24 hours before hand.
With Andrew Christiansen’s side two points ahead of the Sharks and three in front of the White Eagles, Manly are well poised to claim the first piece of silverware of the season and will only enhance that probability with a win over eleventh-placed Sydney United 58.
Manly had won four in a row before they were halted by APIA Leichhardt in their 1-1 stalemate last Sunday – however they will be wary of a Reds side who shocked the tournament favourites 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Cromer Park in Round 10.
Saturday
Sutherland Sharks v Blacktown Spartans, 4.30pm at Seymour Shaw
Sutherland’s frustrations at dropping points at Rockdale last week multiplied when they saw APIA Leichhardt had held Manly at Lambert Park on the same afternoon and as a result Allan Edmondson’s side know they must win and hope the competition frontrunners slip up when Blacktown Spartans come to Seymour Shaw.
The Sharks can go top with a win and put real pressure on Bonnyrigg White Eagles, who host Hakoah Sydney City East later in the evening, and Manly who travel to Sydney United the following afternoon.
But with the Spartans in desperate need of club championship points, it will be another tough test for Sutherland who on the back of consecutive draws look to have let their premiership tilt slip through their fingers.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Hakoah Sydney City East, 5.00pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
With Bonnyrigg three points behind Manly United going into the penultimate round of the competition, the White Eagles, like Sutherland Sharks before them, will be looking to take maximum points and pray that both Manly and Sutherland slip up in their respective matches with Sydney United and Blacktown Spartans.
Stephen Sigmund’s third-placed outfit host a Hakoah Sydney City East side who have disappointingly downed tools of late and lost their fourth match on the trot against lowly Parramatta last weekend.
After exceeding expectations and breaking into the top five with a standout win against Blacktown City last month, Hakoah are resigned to a mid-table finish and could be punished further as Bonnyrigg look to close the gap on the top two.
Parramatta v Wollongong Wolves, 5.00pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
A 2-1 loss at home to Sydney Olympic will go down as one of the most frustrating results of the season for Wollongong Wolves who must win both their remaining games and hope Blacktown City and Sydney Olympic lose theirs in order to re-enter the top five.
But with Alfredo Esteves’ side six points behind the reigning champions in fifth position, the Wolves will travel to Sydney United Sports Centre with an air of trepidation rather than genuine optimism as they look to make up what looks an impossible gap.
Parramatta on the other hand will be relishing another opportunity to display their newfound confidence at the tail end of the season. Mark Zecchin’s side notched consecutive victories for the first time this campaign over Hakoah Sydney City East and Bonnyrigg White Eagles as Parramatta FC outfit try to close a frustrating season on a high.
Sunday
Sydney Olympic v Rockdale City Suns, 5.00pm at Seymour Shaw Park
Sydney Olympic kept their top five hopes alive with an outstanding away win in Wollongong last weekend and will look to keep the pressure on fifth-placed Blacktown City when they welcome Rockdale City Suns to Seymour Shaw.
Olympic are only three points away from Blacktown City with two weeks remaining and with the reigning champions facing a tricky home fixture against APIA Leichhardt Tigers on the same afternoon and a daunting fixture at Cromer Park to close the season next week, the Blues will fancy their chances.
Blacktown City v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 1.00pm at Lilys Football Centre
After a dreadful second half of the campaign, Blacktown City still have work to do in order to cement their position in the top five and the reigning champions must first contend with APIA Leichhardt Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown hold a three point advantage over sixth-placed Olympic with a fortnight of the competition remaining but with APIA Leichhardt and competition leaders Manly United still to play, Ben Wright’s side look to be on shaky ground as they await the visit of the third-placed Tigers.